How Casey controls private trees
Casey's tree page points to the City of Casey Planning Scheme for when and how private trees can be removed or pruned. That holds from Cranbourne to Narre Warren and the semi-rural edges, but the controls change from block to block.
Council doesn't describe a local law permit for private trees on that page. The question is always which planning controls touch your land.
Casey says a permit may be needed when...
- The land has an Environmental Significance, Vegetation Protection, Significant Landscape or Heritage Overlay.
- The tree is a canopy tree. Since 24 September 2026, Clause 52.37 means a tree at least 5 metres tall whose average canopy is at least 4 metres wide; with a house on the lot, only boundary canopy trees.
- The block is over 4,000 sqm and the vegetation is native.
- An overlay schedule sets its own trunk size, like Berwick's below.
Berwick's trunk test
In SLO Schedule 4 (Berwick Township and Environs), removing, destroying or lopping any tree with a trunk over 0.5 metres around, or 16 centimetres across, at one metre above ground needs a permit. That's a modest trunk, so measure before deciding a Berwick tree is too small to count.
Dead vegetation can still be covered
In an Environmental Significance Overlay, Clause 42.01 needs a permit to remove, destroy or lop any vegetation, dead vegetation included, unless the schedule or clause says otherwise. Casey's ESO Schedule 6 covers its Urban Conservation Area.
Clause 52.17, the state's native vegetation clause, also covers dead native vegetation. A dead tree on a bigger block is a question for the planners, not a weekend job.
Before you book a Casey removal
Look up the zone and overlays
Use VicPlan, or ask Planning Services for verbal or written confirmation.
Request a call from a planner
Council says its planners will contact you within two business days of the request.
Put the application together
The form, a site plan of the trees, what you want done and why, and supporting information such as an arborist report.
Expect a merits assessment
Casey weighs the Planning Scheme, environmental impacts and neighbourhood character before deciding.
Immediate risk means 48 hours, not someday
If anyone is in danger, call 000, and for storm damage to the house, the SES. Casey treats a tree as an immediate risk only if it, or part of it, is likely to fail within 48 hours and could hurt someone or damage property, and only the hazardous part can come off without approval. Stay clear and let an arborist judge it.
What happens without approval
Council says unauthorised removal or pruning of protected trees can lead to enforcement action, fines and prosecution, along with required replacement planting or remediation.
City of Casey tree removal permits: what to do next
We'd use the call-back form before getting quotes, and ask the planner to put the answer in writing. If you're building, we'd also take council's hint and look at whether the design can keep a healthy significant tree, because that's usually an easier conversation than arguing for its removal.
Want an arborist to look at it?
Tell us the job and your postcode, and a local arborist calls you to talk it through.